If you want compact, sweat-resistant earbuds for jogging, choose JLab Go Air Pop+; if you need a longer stated battery life and an over-earband style, choose Sony WH-CH520. For jogging, I’d lean toward JLab’s in-ear design and three tip sizes, while Sony makes more sense for extended listening away from workouts.
• JLab Go Air Pop+ strength: In-ear fit with three gel-tip sizes, IPX4 sweat and light-rain resistance, and up to 35+ hours of combined earbud-and-case playtime. Trade-off: Its battery figure is split between earbuds and case, and there is no listed noise control.
• Sony WH-CH520 strength: Up to 50 hours of battery life, app-based EQ customization, and multipoint pairing for two devices. Trade-off: Its on-ear design does not have a stated sweat-resistance rating.
• JLab suits people who want a small earbud setup for exercise and calls; Sony suits people who prefer padded on-ear headphones for longer listening sessions.
The Go Air Pop+ is the more workout-oriented choice on paper. Its earbuds sit in the ears, and the package includes three gel-tip sizes to help find a secure fit. JLab lists an IPX4 rating for sweat and light rain resistance, which gives it a practical edge for a jog where perspiration or a brief drizzle may be part of the picture. That rating is not a claim of protection against submersion, so I would keep that distinction in mind.
Battery life is listed as 9+ hours per earbud, plus 26+ hours from the USB-C charging case, for 35+ hours total. The case has an integrated USB-C charging cable, and the description says a 10-minute charge can provide an hour of playtime. Three EQ options—Signature, Bass Boost, and Balanced—let you choose a sound profile, with further adjustments and touch-control management available through the JLab app.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
This is the one I’d consider for someone who wants earbuds that can work for a commute, a jog, and calls without carrying an over-ear set. Each bud has a microphone, and Dual Connect allows either one to be used independently. That can be useful if you want one ear free during a call. But if you dislike in-ear tips, or specifically want padded earcups, Sony’s design is the clearer fit. JLab lists no noise control, so neither product should be chosen on the assumption of active noise cancellation.
Sony takes the opposite approach: the WH-CH520 is an on-ear Bluetooth headphone with an adjustable headband, soft ear pads, a cushion, and swivel earcups. That makes it the more natural pick for listeners who prefer a headband and pads over earbuds sitting inside the ears. Its swivel design is described as helping with compact carrying, though the sheet does not give a product dimension or claim it is designed for exercise.
Its battery life is listed as up to 50 hours, with USB Type-C quick charging. The description states that three minutes of charging can provide up to 90 minutes of playback. Sony also offers EQ customization through its Headphones Connect app, and DSEE is included to boost the quality of compressed music files. Multipoint pairing lets the headphones connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, which may suit someone moving between a laptop and a phone.
The WH-CH520 is a sensible match for long listening sessions, desk use, travel, and calls, especially if you value the ability to switch between two connected devices. Its built-in microphone supports hands-free calls. For jogging, though, it lacks the explicit sweat-resistance rating provided for JLab, and its on-ear fit may not be what a runner wants. The sheet does not list noise control for Sony either, so I would not treat it as a noise-cancelling alternative.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best fit for jogging on the listed specs → JLab Go Air Pop+. It is an in-ear design with three tip sizes and a stated IPX4 rating for sweat and light rain.
• Best stated total playtime with a case included → JLab Go Air Pop+. JLab lists 35+ hours across the earbuds and case, although the earbuds and case contribute separate portions.
• Best stated battery figure for the headphones themselves → Sony WH-CH520. Sony lists up to 50 hours; the product sheet does not describe this as a combined headphone-and-case total.
• Best for switching between two devices → Sony WH-CH520. Multipoint pairing is listed for two devices at once.
• Best if you want an individual earbud for a call → JLab Go Air Pop+. Dual Connect lets you use either earbud independently, and each bud has a microphone.
• Best for choosing a sound profile in an app → Either, for different options. JLab lists three EQ modes; Sony offers EQ customization and DSEE.
• Best for someone looking for the best comfortable sports earbuds for jogging → JLab Go Air Pop+. The in-ear style, tip choices, and sweat-resistance rating make the case, though fit is personal and the sheet cannot guarantee comfort for every runner.
I’d choose the JLab Go Air Pop+ for jogging because its in-ear design, three tip sizes, and IPX4 rating align more directly with exercise. Its independent-earbud option and microphone in each bud are also useful for calls. I’d pick the Sony WH-CH520 instead for long listening away from workouts, especially if I wanted on-ear padding and multipoint pairing. Neither is a “sleep headphones for jogging” solution; for exercise, the relevant question is which fit and design you prefer.
JLab is the more straightforward fit for jogging based on the listed features: it is an in-ear model with three tip sizes and an IPX4 sweat and light-rain rating. Sony is on-ear and has no stated sweat-resistance rating.
Sony lists up to 50 hours for the WH-CH520. JLab lists 9+ hours per earbud and 26+ additional hours from its case, for 35+ hours total. Those figures describe different battery setups, so compare the total-use context rather than treating them as identical measures.
Both have a built-in microphone. JLab lists a MEMS mic in each earbud and lets you use either earbud independently, while Sony has a built-in microphone for hands-free calls. JLab’s form and sweat-resistance details make it the more exercise-focused option on paper.
Neither product’s listed noise-control feature indicates noise cancellation. JLab includes Be Aware Mode to let ambient noise in, while Sony’s sheet lists noise control as none. Choose based on fit, battery, and other features rather than expecting active noise cancellation.
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